Locomotive sanding mechanism



' v. L. FRANTZ LOCOMOTIVE SANDING MECHANISM Flled Nov 18. 1930 Sept. 20, 1932;

Patented Sept. 20, 1932 v e s-TAT'Es vrnsrn L. FRANTZ, F BOAHOKE, VIRGINIA; AssIGNoB ro oRAnAiu-wm'rnsnnnsn conroaerron, 'OF BQANOKE; VIRGINIA, A oonroan'rro v on vmeime LocoMoTIvE SAN IN MECHANISM' Application filed November 18:, 1930. Serial No. 496,497.

This invention relates to sanding devices for the Wheels of locomotives and ha's 'for its general ob ect the provision of aznovel sandingv mechanism Whereinthe number of necese' sary parts and the length of piping may-be greatly reduced wlthout many wayv 1mpa1'r-i ing the eiiiciency.

tis well known that a p locomotive sanding mechamsm-involves the b provision ofsanding devices located on opposite sides of a locomotive boiler and con-v trolled by a Duplex valve within the cab, this valve having the necessary pipe connections with a source of fluid pressure and with-the 5 sanders themselves, the sanders being on both sides of the locomotive andhaving 1 branch pipe connections thereto so that only one duplex valve is needed for the control of the entire mechanism. For instance in Patent 32 No. 1,409,538 granted March 14th, 1922, to

James Frantz, there is disclosed a- Duplex valve embodying-.atvalve casing having a fluid pressure inlet and a plurality of outlets leading to or at least adaptedto lead to the sanders on opposite sides of the locomotive boiler. It will be observed by referring to said patent that when it is desired to sand the forward Wheels of the locomotive truck it is necessary to move the valve handle for- 39 Wardly so that av cleaning blast and a sanding p blast of air willbe supplied to the sand traps only as disclosed in this particular patent but as disclosed by other patents owned by the Graham-WVhite Sander Corporation the assignee of the present case If necessary reference may readily be had to additional patents disclosing this samegeneral scheme.

By way of explanation 1t may also be said that in all locomotive sanding devicesit be{ comes imperative to insure that there will be opular.

discharging to the rear of the rear Wheels nol clogging of the sanding nozzles and dc livery pipes. If the sand be the leastbit damp it is of-course' obvious Qthatin freezing weatherit will solidify. and will therefore not respond to an airblastl It is not feasible to have'ithe sand absolutely dry and on .ac-

countll of the possibility of'sli'ght. moisture steps'must be taken to insure freeingof the sand discharging nozzles or orificesof any ac-Y cumulationthatmight occur under any 'circumstances;

It is for this reason that in 'de' vices of this type means is provided notonly for applying an air blast. for discharging the {sand onto'the rails adjacent the wheels but also for-"providing a preliminary blast-bot very short duration which will operateto remove, any accumulation of sand remaining in the-nozzles or discharge orifices from a I I previous operation of the mechanism.

,It is with the above facts in view that I have devised the present invention which has for an important'object the provision of alocomotive sandingQmechanism embodying an automatic valve which is operated by fluid pressure upon the opening of the main or Duplex valve,for the purposeof control- 7 lingthe discharge of a" cleaning blast applied to thesanding'traps...

7 .A. further. object of rovide a sanding system-ofthis character which will be selective in so far. as concerns thesanding of the front and rear wheels of the locomotive truck and which embodies an automatic valve mechanism' controlling thecleaning. blastapplied to. the sanders, the .arrangement'ibeing such that only one automatic valvew-ill-beneeded for both sets of sanders, -this lattermentioned detail being ofextreme importance inreducinjg the cost. ofrthe equipment, particularlyas regards r t-he lengthof' the p'ping necessary to bring-about the desired results. 1

Anoth'erobjectof he invention is the provision of a novel automaticvalve interposed between the Duplex controlivalve andjthe sanders "for thepurpose of insuring a short. ori almost momentary blast of air through the cleaning ports or orifices.

-Another object of he lnvention is to provide a sanding nechanism or system- Wherethe invention is. to I in the sanding of the respective sets of wheels of thelocomotive is easily controlled or effected by operation of the main or Duplex valve located within the locomotive cab and wherein the cleaning operation is automatically effected by the special valve, only one of which is necessary for the two sanders.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of automatic-va-lve which is operated purely by fluid pressure and which-is provided within itself with means for permitting flow of fluid pressure to the cleaning pipes for a limited time, and then for cutting off said flow so that the entire degree of fluid pressure may be exerted upon the sand applying mechanis'm. V i An .additional object is to provide an arrangement and combination of parts having these characteristics and which will yet be simple and inexpensive to make, easy to assemble, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and. a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the mechanism as applied to a locomotive,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing. an alternative arrangement, and

' Figure 3 is a detail vertical section through the automatic valve. Referring more particularly to the drawing and especially Figure 1 the numeral 10 designates, broadly, a Duplex valve which may for example be somewhat similar to that disclosed in the patent of James Frantz granted March 14th, 1922 and numbered 1,409,538. In order to make the present invention entirely clear, it is probably better to mention that this valve comprises a casing or body 11 into which extends a pipe 12 leading from a source of fluid pressure which might be a compressed air pump or the like. This valve has two outlets 13 and 14 from which air under pressure is permitted to be discharged upon oscillation, as it might be called, of a handle 15 which is pivoted at 16 and which includes a transverse member 17 abutting against the ends of plungers 18 and 19 forming part of valve devices for controlling the passage of compressed air from the pipe 12-to the discharge ports 13 and 14, respectively.

' The mechanism also includes sanders or sand traps 20 and 21 which are similar and which may be arranged as indicated or disclosed in the co-pending application of Virgil L. Frantz and Oren 0. Lemon, filed February 13th, 1929, Serial No. 339,715, or as the outlet port 14. Shunted about the pipes 27 and is a pipe 28 within which is interposed a check valve 29 and an automatic control valve 30 which constitutes one of the important featuresof the present invention,

note being taken that the pipe 28 connects directly with the pipe 27 and through the valve 30 and pipe 34 with the pipe 24.

At this point it is necessary to explain that the automatic valve .30 comprises a casing 31 having a suitable inlet nipple 32 with in'which the pipe 28 is connected, and having an outlet nipple 33 within which is con nected the pipe 34 which connects with the pipes 24 and 25 leading to..the sanders 20 and 21, respectively. Within'the valve cas ing 31 is a longitudinally Inovable valve assembly including a piston 35 connected by a piston rod or stem 36 with a piston 37 of considerably less-diameter, the latter mentioned piston 37 being engaged by a coil spring 38..which operates normally to hold the valve assembly in such position that there is a constant communication between the pipes 28 and .34. However, the larger piston member or head 35 is formed with an opening 39 which will permit fluid pressure to pass through this piston head and build up beneath it so that the combination of this fluid pressure acting upon the piston head 35 (which is'of larger diameter than the piston head 37) will move the valve longitudinally upwardly, as the drawing is viewed, and cut off communication to the pipe 34, it being readily apparent that the piston head 35 will close, cover or obstruct the exit to the pipe 34 at such time. While it is not essential, the valve casing 31 is shown as provided interiorly with a seat 40 which will be engaged by the correspondingly beveled top edge 41 of the head '35 when the valve mechanism or movable valve device moves upwardly.

In Figure 2 there is disclosed an arrangement wherein connected with the outlet port 13 is a pipe '42 which connects with branch pipes 43 and 44, the former of which leads to the automatic valve .30, and the latter of which leads to the sanding port of the sand trap 20. Connected with the outlet port 14 is a pipe 45 which leads to the sanding portof the sand trap 21. Interposed in the pipe 43 is a check valve 46 which opens toward the automatic valve 30. Furthermore, connecting the pipes 43 and 45 there is a branch pipe 47 having interposed therein a check valve-48. In-other respects the arnames? arangemenit in Figurei2 is substantially the same as that disclosed in Figure 1. 1

In theropenation of the device, zrefenning especially to Figure *1,,itwlifl l ib'G OlDSBIWGCl that when the handle 11 5 is pushed forwardly, that is t'o say to the right :of the drawing, the pent 13 in the valve 510 is opened was it pressure is admitted .to the pipe :26 lea v to the sanding port of the :sand trap 20. At

the same time fluid pressurepasses through thebranch pipeto the automatic valve the 1 :nheol: villa/e129 being of such ccnastrnctionas the beveled seat at the intermediate portion of the valve casing.

communication to the pipe 34: leading to the When this occurs cleaning orifices of both of the sand traps 20 Y whatsoever.

and 21 is cut off. The automatic valve therefore operates to'control the cleaning of both of the traps 20 and 21 so that there canbe no clogging thereof under any circumstances When it is desired to operate the sanding devices/or sand traps 21 for the rear wheels of the truck, it is merely necessary to pull the valve handle 15 backwardly or to the left,,as viewed in Figure 1 of the drawing, whereupon air pressure from the pipe 12 is permitted to pass out through the port 14 and to the pipe 27 leading to the sanding port of the sand trap 21. In view of the fact that the pipe 27 is connected by the pipe 28 to the automatic valve 30 through the check valve 29 it is quite apparent that pressure Will be supplied to the sanding port of the sander 20. Both sanders will therefore be operated. Pressurewill also be supplied to the cleaning ports of both sanders as above described, through the action of the valve 30. i t Y In the modification disclosed in Figure 2 it will be seen that when the valve handle 15 is moved forwardly, or to the right of the drawing, air pressure from the pipe 12 will be discharged from the exit orifice 13 to the pipe 42 and thence to the sand trap 20 from which of course the sand is forced through the pipe 22 in the well known manner. Attention is directed to the fact that at this time air pressure also passes through the check valve 46 and automatic valve 30 to the cleaning orifice of the sand trap 20. The actual operation of the automatic valve 30 itself has already been explained and it is therefore thought that a repetition thereof should be unnecessary. When the valve handle 15 is pulled backwardly, or to the left, viewing Figure 2 of the drawing, itis apparent that air pressure from the pipe 12 Will pass out of sanding nozzle of the trap '21. -Inview 0f the fact that the branch {pipe '4 connects the pipes 42 and 45 and'that-this piipe L7 has the check valve 48 interposed therein, 'izt'is "quite clear that the i-antomatic valve 30 will l ;.operate in identically the isznne :manner for clearing out the sanding nozzles of both traps as above explained in coni-iectionjwith Figure 1.

From the- ;study of the drawing it will be quite apparent that I have thus provided a very simple and inexpensive'sanding mechanism which possesses the advantage-of requiring only one :automatic valve for taking care of the cleaning of a plurality of traps. 1318 well known that itzis :a common practice to have :a' cleaning "device for each sander or sand trap but by my particular arrangement I have foun'dwit possible to employ ,asingle foregoing v description and la the'port i iand ithrougihithe ipipe 4'5 tothe ,antomaticvalve operatedloy fluid pressure 7 and acting :to take care ofthe blowing out or cleaning of the nozzles in the respective sand traps.= Consequently it is quite apparent that theaniounrttozf piping is reduced. and that the number ofvalves for taking care of the cleaning proposition'niay be ur'ednced by half,

the sum total of the invention therefore re- :si-dirrg in :the elimination: ofsa duplication of parts and 'devi'ces'which wouldotherwise inateri'allya'ddl to the installationas ell as ,themaintenanceoffth'esystem;

While I haveshownfland descr' bed the preferred'aembodim'ents i'off-the invention, it

involved the rightis reserved tonra'ke all such changes in the details ;of construction as will widenlthejfield of: utility and increase the adaptability of the deviceprovi'ded such changes constitute no departure fromfthe spirit "of the inventionvor the :scope of the claims hereunto appended.

'Having thus describedathe invention, I claimz 4 I w 1. In'a locomotive sanding'mec'h'anism, the combination of a source of fluid pressurefa two-way valve connected therewith, "a'pluraL ity of sand traps "each having a delivery pipe, a cleaning portend a main tfiuid pressure adinis'sien port, and meansoonnected with said valve and connected-with the cleaning ports of thesand traps and automatically operable for supplying fluid pressure to the cleaning ports of all of the traps when the tWo way valve is opened in either direction-Q 2. In alocomotive sanding mechanism, the combination of a source :of fluid pressure, a twojway valve"connectedjtherewith, a plurality of sand: traps-each having-a delivery pi pe, acleaning port and a main fluid pressure admission port, and -means connected with said valveand connected with the cleanin'g ports of the .sandtraps and automatically operable for supplying fluid pressure to the cleaning ports. of all of the traps when the two-way valve is opened in either direction, said means comprising a fluid pressure actuated valve;

3. In a locomotive sanding mechanism, the combination of a two-way valve connected with a source of fluid pressure, a plurality of sand traps each having a delivery pipe, a main air inlet port and a cleaning port, the main inlet ports of said sand traps being connected with the respective outlets of the two-way valve, and a fluid pressure operated valve connected with said two-way valve for actuation by opening thereof in either direction and connected with the cleaning ports of the sand traps.

4. In a locomotive sanding mechanism, the combination of a plurality of sand traps arranged for delivering sand to different pairs of wheels of a locomotive truck, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said sand traps, said sand bI'ELPS having cleaning. ports, and fluid pressure operated valve means connected with said control valve and said sand traps for applying a cleaning blast to all ofthe sand traps when said controlvalve is operated to apply fluid pressure to either selected sand trap.

5. In a locomotive sanding mechanism, the combination of a. plurality of sand traps separately operable for delivering sand to selected pairs of wheels of a locomotive truck, a two-way valve connected with a source of fluid pressure and with the delivery ports of the respective sand traps, and a fluid pressure operated valve connected with said two way valve and shunted about all of the sand traps for applying a cleaning blast thereto whenever the two-way valve is operated in either direction.

6. In a locomotive sanding mechanism of the character described including a plurality of sand traps having cleaning ports and a control valve for applying fluid pressure thereto, an automatic fluid pressure operated valve connected with said valve and with the cleaning ports of the sand traps, said automatic valve comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, alongitudinally movable member therein having piston heads of differentdiameters, one head being apertured for the passage of fluid pressure to enable the same to build up beneath it and overbalance the differential relation between the heads for moving said longitudinally movable member to close the outlet.

7. In a locomotive sanding mechanism, the combination of a source of fluid pressure, manually operable valve means connected therewith, a plurality of sand traps each having a delivery pipe, a cleaning port and a main fluid pressure admission port, and means connected with said valve means and with the cleaning ports of the sand traps and valve means being connect-ed with the fluid I pressure admission ports of the respective traps, and means connected with said valve means and with the cleaning ports of the traps and automatically operable for supplying fluid pressure to the cleaning ports of all the traps when the valve means is operated to supply fluid pressure to the main admission port of either trap.

In testimony whereof I afliX my si nature.

VIRGIL L. FRKNTZ;

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